[tsantiago]

I am a Mother of a 13 year old girl. who was left in Atlanta Geoigia all alone. I paid $100 to have services for her to be cared for. Her plane was deverted due to Mechanical problems and she was left in the Airport for over six hours by herself without eating or being able to contact any family members. Delta is the worst Airline ever!




T Santiago
Bronx NY

[pattis]

How frightening for you. Do you have the original paperwork that was filled out when she was originally dropped off??? Do you have more info on this? What airport did she start at and where did she (her plane) divert to? Also, what was her destination? On the original paperwork, see if you can find out this information (this is how it works ).....

When child (unacompanied minor) is dropped of at originating airport all the paperwork is filled out and first "point of contact agent" (ticket counter) checks all info to make sure it is all properly filled out. He/She then writes their employee number on it. When minor is turned over to another employee (most likely the gate to be walked down onto aircraft) then that employee then writes their number on it. Gate agent gives paperwork to head flight attendant who then puts their number on it. When child gets to destination/connection city, the agent that escorts them to new gate or awaiting party writes their number on it. All of this happens every time child "changes hands" I don't mean to sound repetetive...you get the picture. Under normal circumstances when the aircraft arrives at connecting city/destination, they are turned over to an airport agent, and flight attendant is no longer responsible. I am wondering if the diversion city they landed at is not a Delta or affiliate city..meaning there were no Delta employees there. If that was the case, then head flight attendant should have remained the person in charge of your daughter the entire time. Also if there were no Delta employees there, that would be the reason she was not offered any food vouchers. However, there is always some sort of food/beverage on the plane.

I would definetly pursue this one. There are alot of complaints that are trivial but this is totally unacceptable. I hope you have this paperwork because Delta can trace who's employees numbers they belong to. Also who the head flight attendant was on that particular flight. Don't just accept an apology. Is it worth talking to an attorney? I have no idea. But I would write directly to CEO of company. And demand my $100 dollars back and not in voucher form. However, that does not make up for the shoddy service, or the fact that your daughter could have encountered any number of problems..we both know what kind of creeps are out there.

Thankfully, your daughter is safe, and all is well now but don't let this slide. Other that this, I don't know of any legal venues you can go to. Maybe someone else on this board will. Good luck, please keep us informed .

[pattis]

I forgot to say that if you no longer have the original paperwork, don't fret the originating station she flew out of has a copy of it and are required by law to keep that on file for a certain amount of time. Not sure if that is the same amount for all airlines, but where I work it is 30 days. Hope this helps. Go the original airport and demand a copy of it if you do not have it. They have to produce it for you.
Also, for future reference, if she ever flies alone again make sure she has a cell phone on her...there are some inexpensive choices for kids. I have heard this is pretty good.

http://www.fireflymobile.com/

Good Luck to you.

[pattis]

Just wondering what ever came of this situation?